Founder and organizer Robert Sarazin Blake says the subtitle is a play off the idea that “16 candles makes a lot of light.”

“It’s a celebration of having the festival for 16 years and of all the joy that’s been created in those 16 years,” he says.

And, he says, if you look closely at the poster, the band is playing a total of 16 strings!

The jamboree is an open-air concert celebrating Whatcom County music. Over three days, 40 acts, including rockabilly, singer-songwriter, folk, old-time, country, vaudeville and ragtime will perform nonstop on two stages. The live music is embellished with performances from The Bellingham Circus Guild, workshops, kids activities and square dancing. In addition to the local musicians, all four corners of the United States are represented with visiting bands: Hamell on Trial (from New York), Sierra Ferrell (from Virginia), Three for Silver (from Oregon), and Lone Piñon (from New Mexico). The lineup also includes Canadians Petunia & The Vipers, the Stephen Nikleva Band and Lache Cercel & the Roma Swing Ensemble.

The festival is put on by an enthusiastic group of volunteers who create beauty at every turn from the poster to the parking lot and, of course, on the bandstand.

Tickets in advance are $75 for a festival pass, $35 for a single day pass, $25 for Saturday evening only, available in advance only. Tickets at the gate are $120 for the festival, $40 for day passes.

Advance tickets are at the Community Food Co-op, Avalon Music, & Bison Bookbinding & Letterpress and online at stringbandjamboree.com. Other details on Facebook, and for a glimpse of what to expect, go to YouTube and search “Stringband Jamboree.”

Gates open at 10 a.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Music starts at 5 p.m. on Thursday, noon on Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday. Workshops are from 10 a.m. to noon Friday and Saturday. Camping is available all weekend.

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Watch Kenyan acrobats form human pyramids at the Lynden Fair

Zuzu African Acrobats thrill the crowd at the Festival Stage at the Northwest Washington Fair Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017. The Kenyan acrobats, dance, flip and form human pyramids three times a day at the fair.